Racism, Y’all

06.24.13

Deen Loses First Endorsement

Chris Gordon/Corbis,Chris Gordon

Smithfield Foods just isn't that into racism. The $7.1 billion food company cut ties with Paula Deen, saying it "condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior" and is "terminating our partnership with Paula Deen" in light of the racist deposition scandal she's been embroiled in. Earlier today, a former cook at one of her restaurants claimed that Deen would give him and other black employees no choice but to work her "Southern plantation style" parties—threatening their jobs if they refused—and then paid them in alcohol. "Paula and Bubba just gave us beer and alcohol and I don't even drink," the oyster cook, who worked for Deen from 2008 to 2010, told Radar Online.